The present invention relates to the domain of lighting modules used for illumination and/or signalling in motor vehicles and applies more specifically to lighting modules including optical devices for forming different light beams, notably low beam and high beam.
Motor vehicle headlamps typically comprise a housing that is closed by a transparent wall through which one or more light beams pass. This housing contains at least one lighting module, comprising primarily a light source and an optical system designed to shape the light generated by the light source in order to perform the specific lighting and/or signalling functions of the vehicle. For example, the optical system can be designed to enable a low beam to be projected from the headlamp, notably to prevent drivers of vehicles traveling in the opposite direction from being dazzled.
To provide this low beam function, the lighting module has at least one light source, one primary optical device positioned opposite the light source to guide the light rays, a shield element that can interrupt the emitted light rays in order to form a partial light beam that does not dazzle third parties when projected from the headlamp, and a shaping lens for these rays to form the light beam coming out of the headlamp. The shield element is arranged in the path of the rays away from the light source, and it is beneficial for the position thereof to be ensured in the long term so that the shape given to the rays for the light beam referred to as low beam is stable over time.
Furthermore, additional lighting modules can be combined in a single headlamp to provide a high beam function that can illuminate a road over a long range, when there is no risk of dazzling third parties. These additional lighting modules also have one or more light sources and a primary optical device associated with a shaping lens to project the rays.
To improve compactness, there are lighting modules in which these two functions are provided, the light sources and the primary optical devices then having to be arranged in relation to one another to perform these different functions as a function of activation of one and/or another of the light sources. The first light sources are activated when low beam is required and the second light sources are activated additionally to project a beam in addition to this first beam to form a high beam by combining the two beams.
Such arrangements may involve using primary optical devices and/or a shield element that have a distal end face separated from a base supporting the light sources. The manufacturing clearances for such mass-produced primary optical devices can lead to positioning defects. A manufacturing defect in the base of the primary optical device, and notably where the base is attached to the support, may result in poor positioning of the device, especially if the overhang is large. Furthermore, the mechanical vibrations and temperature variations to which the lighting module is exposed during use can result, over time, in a variation in the inclination (greater or lesser) of these primary optical devices in relation to the light source. This inclination has the drawback of changing the area illuminated by the low beam, which can be uncomfortable or even dangerous for drivers of vehicles driving in the opposite direction. It is therefore necessary to regularly maintain the lighting module to correct this defect and prevent accidents.
The invention proposes a lighting module comprising a primary optical device in which the position in relation to the light source of the lighting module is less likely to change over time.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a lighting module for illumination and/or signalling in a motor vehicle, comprising a base supporting, on a first face, at least one light source that emits light rays, most of which extend along an optical axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first face, and a primary optical device comprising a receiving portion opposite at least one portion of the light source and a ray output face opposite the receiving portion. The terms “receiving portion” and “output face” shall be understood to mean the portion of the primary optical device illuminated by the light source and the face of the primary optical device used to direct this light towards a shaping lens, respectively.
The lighting module according to the invention is noteworthy in that it has at least one arm projecting from the first face of the base and holding the primary optical device at a retaining zone positioned between the receiving portion and the output face of the primary optical device. This enables the inclination of the primary optical device in relation to the base to be limited or prevented, thereby ensuring a reliable position of the primary optical device in the lighting module.
According to different features of the invention, taken individually or in combination:
The invention also covers a motor vehicle headlamp including at least one lighting module as described in the present document, in the most limited embodiment thereof or including one or more of the features set out above.
Other features, details and advantages of the invention are set out more clearly in the description given below by way of example and in relation to the drawings, in which:
It should first be noted that the figures show the invention in detail to enable the invention to be carried out, and these figures may naturally be used to better define the invention where appropriate.
In the remainder of the description, the terms longitudinal or lateral, top, bottom, front and rear shall refer to the orientation of the lighting module 2 as intended to be incorporated into a front headlamp of a motor vehicle. A longitudinal direction corresponds to an optical axis A along which most of the light rays generated by the lighting module 2 extend. The lateral orientation corresponds to a straight line perpendicular to the optical axis A that extends horizontally. Finally, the vertical direction is an orientation perpendicular to the optical axis A and to the lateral orientation.
Such a lighting module 2 forms a single sub-assembly, i.e. an object that can perform a function with no input other than the electrical energy required for activation, and where applicable using a module for adjusting the electrical current to protect the module from overheating.
The lighting module 2 according to the invention is designed to create a low beam and a high beam. As explained in greater detail below, the lighting module 2 is designed such that the high beam is the combination of the low beam with an additional beam that illuminates above and/or below the low beam, the combination thus forming the high beam.
The lighting module 2 has at least one light source 4 that is in particular visible in
The support 8 is notably formed by two longitudinally consecutive tubular sectors with different cross sections. A first tubular sector 12 bears against a first face 14 of the base 10 turned towards the lens, while a second tubular sector 16 extends the first tubular sector 12 and forms a receiving area for the shaping lens 6. The first tubular sector 12 can be flush with a dissipation member 18 that is designed to evacuate at least some of the heat generated by the light source 4 away from the lighting module 2. The support 8 can be rigidly connected to the base 10 using screws pressing the support 8 against the first face 14 of the base 10.
A first embodiment is described below with reference notably to
According to the present example, the lighting module 2 has three rows of light-emitting diodes that are substantially parallel to one another. Each row thus forms a light-source sub-assembly, including a first light-source sub-assembly 24, a second light-source sub-assembly 26 and a third light-source sub-assembly 28. The arrangement shown is given by way of example, and the light-emitting diodes could for example be arranged to form three functional sub-assemblies without an arrangement of parallel rows being visible on the module.
The first light-source sub-assembly 24 is used to create the light rays for a first light beam that is a low beam, the second light-source sub-assembly 26 is used to create the light rays for an additional light beam forming, by addition to the first beam, a second beam that is a high beam, and the third light-source sub-assembly 28 is used to create the light rays intended to increase the intensity in a central zone around the edge of the second beam, i.e. the edge forming a junction with the first beam when the two beams are projected simultaneously.
In the example shown, the first light-source sub-assembly 24 has six light-emitting diodes 22 that are substantially aligned in a lateral direction. The second light-source sub-assembly 26 and the third light-source sub-assembly 28 have four and two light-emitting diodes 22 respectively, which are distributed in two substantially lateral lines, the second light-source sub-assembly 26 being positioned between the first light-source sub-assembly 24 and the third light-source sub-assembly 28.
Each of the light-source sub-assemblies 24, 26 and 28 is arranged against the first face 14 of the base 10, in a central zone on said first face 14, as shown in
The cooperation between the chassis 30, visible in particular in
More specifically, the chassis 30 shown in
The frame 32 has a first face 34 that is designed to be pressed against the first face 14 of the base 10 when the frame is attached to the base.
The chassis 30 also has two arms 36 extending from the frame 32 towards the shaping lens 6 in a longitudinal direction or a direction normal to the plane defined by this frame 32. As a result, when the frame 32 is attached to the base 10, the arms 36 extend primarily perpendicular to this base 10. The arms 36 extend from the opposing edges of the frame 32 and are more specifically positioned at each end of the lateral line formed by the second light-source sub-assembly 26. The arms 36 respectively have an inner face 38 turned towards the opposite arm such that the inner faces 38 of the arms face one another. Each inner face 38 has a groove 40 extending over a portion of the arm 36. More specifically, each groove 40 opens out onto the first face 34 of the frame, as shown in
It should be noted that the openings and the lugs are in this case an example embodiment of matching members arranged on the arms of the chassis and on the primary optical device 50, as described in greater detail below, these matching members being shaped to enable this positional locking. Once the lugs 42 have been inserted into the openings 44, as illustrated in
The retaining zone 62 is in this case formed in the vicinity of the distal end 46 of each arm, it being understood that the distance between said retaining zone 62 and the output face 54 may be more or less than illustrated. To ensure that the device is stable, it is nonetheless desirable for this retaining zone to be arranged closer to the output face 54 at the end of the guide member 53 of the primary optical device than to the receiving portion 52 of this primary optical device 50.
It should be noted that the chassis 30 has notches 48 on the first face 34 thereof, said notches being designed to delimit receiving spaces for the feet 74 that are rigidly connected to optical elements, as described below.
As mentioned above, a lighting module 2 according to the invention also includes at least one primary optical device 50, as illustrated in
As described below in greater detail, at least one main face 56, specifically the main face oriented towards the first light-source sub-assembly 24, can be provided with an opaque or reflective coating that is designed to interrupt the rays emitted by the first light-source sub-assembly 24.
It should be noted that the primary optical device 50 according to the invention also has two struts 66 extending a side face 58 on both sides of the receiving portion 52 respectively. Each strut 66 has a foot 67 at the free end thereof opposite the guide member 53, said foot forming an elbow and having a contact face with the first face 14 of the base 10. The foot 67 has a pin 68 projecting from this contact face, said pin 68 being designed to be inserted in an orifice formed in the first face 14 of the base 10 (not shown in the figures). Inserting the pins 68 into the base 10 facilitates positioning of the assembly formed by the pre-assembly of the frame 32 and of the primary optical device 5o on the base 10, while ensuring that the receiving portion 52 for the primary optical device 50 is correctly positioned in relation to the second light-source sub-assembly 26. The primary optical device 50 is then held against the first face 14 of the base 10 by means of the frame 32. By way of example, reference may be made to
Indeed, the operator need only hold the frame 32 against the base 10 using screws 20, as shown in
A lighting module fitted with such an assembly of the optical devices notably enables the formation of a low beam by the emission of light rays through the first additional primary optical device 71, and the formation of a high beam by the simultaneous emission of light rays through each of the primary optical devices of the module. The tile-shaped primary optical device described above is used firstly to guide the light rays emitted by the second light-source sub-assembly 26 to the output face 54 and secondly to interrupt the rays propagating between the first additional primary optical device 71 and the shaping lens 6.
In the context illustrated in
The presence of the arm 36 and of the retaining means arranged between this arm and the primary optical device is necessary in this context in which the primary optical device is elongated such that the output face opposite the base 10 is arranged at a significant distance from this base. A significant distance means that the dimension between the base 10 and the output face of the primary optical device, also referred to as the length L of the primary optical device, is greater than the dimension of this primary optical device along any axis parallel to the plane defining the first face 14 of the base 10, for example the thickness E thereof as shown in
The presence of at least one arm and the retaining means has been described above according to a first embodiment, but naturally other embodiments can be implemented, for example the second embodiment illustrated in
This second embodiment differs from the foregoing in that the arms 136 are in this case integrally formed with the base 10 such as to form a one-piece assembly, instead of being carried by a separate chassis. The arm projects from the base at a greater distance from the primary optical device than when this arm is carried by a chassis designed to cover the feet extending this primary optical device. In the example shown, the arms are arranged on the base around the periphery of these feet, so as not to hinder attachment thereof to the base.
Consequently, to bring the arms 136 into cooperation with the primary optical device in the retaining zone 162, the primary optical device 50 has at least one bar 76 projecting from the lateral face 58 over a sufficient distance to engage in a slot 78 formed in the corresponding arm 136.
In the example shown, each arm 136 has one such slot 78 in the vicinity of the free end, each slot having a shape and dimensions matching the shape and dimensions of the bar 76 arranged to project from the lateral face 58 of the primary optical device 50.
The description above clearly explains how the invention enables achievement of the objectives set, notably proposing a lighting module ensuring the easier and more secure retention over time of primary optical device facing a light source and lighting module. Indeed, the use of a chassis according to the invention helps to ensure that the position and the inclination of the primary optical device in relation to the light source does not change over time as a result of vibrations and/or temperature variations to which the lighting module is exposed. It is for this reason that the lighting module according to the present invention is more secure in use. The description made of an element shall naturally apply to any other element of the same type and the scope of the invention includes all the equivalent elements.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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17 61222 | Nov 2017 | FR | national |
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20190162380 A1 | May 2019 | US |